How To Clean An Old Radio Cabinet

Cleaning up old wooden radios

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	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Tue 15, 2005 7:23 pm
Member Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 57 Location: St. Paul, MN USA	I'm a novice at cabinet stuff and wood finishing in general, so I beg your tolerence at my newbie question.<P>What is the best way to clean up years of wax and grime on an old cabinet with good lacquer and veneer? <P>And once you have it fully cleaned, what is the best way to make it shine and stay somewhat preserved?<P>Thanks in advance...<P>------------------<BR>
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Peter	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Tue 15, 2005 7:40 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 5123 Location: Indianapolis, IN	Mineral spirits can be used to clean off grime.<P>I've also had good luck using waterless handcleaner, the kind without grit, such as Goop or Gojo. Very good at removing grime and dirt.<P>Once the radio is clean, a thin coat of fine furniture wax looks nice.<P>Peter<P><P>------------------<BR><UL TYPE=SQUARE> <BR><LI> <A HREF="http://www.plasticradios.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.plasticradios.com</A><BR><LI> <A HREF="http://airchiefradios.com" TARGET=_blank>http://airchiefradios.com</A><BR></UL>
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Max Power	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Tue 15, 2005 10:25 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 57 Location: St. Paul, MN USA	I have heard that GoJo works well with #0000 steel wool, but it also leaves a residue?<P>------------------<BR>
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Peter	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Tue 15, 2005 10:27 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 5123 Location: Indianapolis, IN	The surface might seem sort of sticky or tacky after using it, but I usually wipe down pretty well with a paper towel, then apply wax, and haven't had any problems.<P>Peter<P><P>------------------<BR><UL TYPE=SQUARE> <BR><LI> <A HREF="http://www.plasticradios.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.plasticradios.com</A><BR><LI> <A HREF="http://airchiefradios.com" TARGET=_blank>http://airchiefradios.com</A><BR></UL>
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Mike Toon

Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios

Posted: Mar Tue 15, 2005 10:49 pm

Member

Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am
Posts: 6311
Location: Beautiful Downtown Burbank CA

I just tried Murphy's Oil Soap, only because I found it under the sink, and it worked really great. I used it on a wet rag out of the bottle.<P>------------------<BR>-Mike

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Poston Drake	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Tue 15, 2005 11:15 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 3926 Location: Charleston, W.Va.	I have found that on some dirty cabinets, using two different methods works best:<BR>1) Mineral spirits to clean off wax, etc.<BR>2) A mild water-based detergent, such as Murphy's Oil Soap, to get off water-soluable dirt, etc., which the mineral spirits may not cut.<P>------------------<BR>Poston
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DavidS	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Wed 16, 2005 6:05 am
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 3310	I agree with MIKE ,Murphy's Oil Soap has worked wonders on some very grungy radio!<BR>I've used it 1 to 1 with water and a green scubby pad taking care, it worked great.<BR> <P>------------------<BR>
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Keyop	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Wed 16, 2005 12:30 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1453 Location: Austin Texas USA	If I may, I'll add my two cents worth to this discussion...From my experience, all suggestions so far are good ones...<P>A "secret" formula for increasing the cleaning power of GoJo non-abrasive hand cleaner is to add the juice of a small size lemon to the contents of a regular size container of GoJo...Mix it in well and then apply the combination to your wood cabinet with a soft cloth...You may find that you can get by without having to resort to an abrasive pad or steel wool...Always a nice alternative if you are working on fragile veneers.<P>The GoJo film that is left following a thorough cleaning can be easily removed with a soft cloth dampened with naphtha (or mineral spirits).<P>Regards,<P>Bruce<P><BR> <P>------------------<BR>
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Dave Doughty	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Wed 16, 2005 4:04 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 18922 Location: Utica, NY 13502 (USA)	I am hardly an expert at cabinet work. This radio was found baking in a storefront window at a junk shop. The finish was dull, dried out and had turned very light. Several applications of Scott's Liquid Gold (used as directed) cleaned the surface and brought the finish back on this Philco 41-265.<P> <IMG SRC="http://antiqueradios.com/albums/Philco/41_265_c.jpg"> <P>Dave<P>------------------<BR>
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Old Radioz	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Wed 16, 2005 8:58 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1413 Location: Québec!	Old Radioz wrote: <font>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave Doughty:<BR><B>I am hardly an expert at cabinet work. This radio was found baking in a storefront window at a junk shop. The finish was dull, dried out and had turned very light. Several applications of Scott's Liquid Gold (used as directed) cleaned the surface and brought the finish back on this Philco 41-265.<P>Dave<P></B><HR> <P><BR>Isn't it based on silicone oil like so many other "wood preserver/restorers" like Pledge ?<P>When I read their FAQ, it sure sounds like it.<P>Syl<BR><P>------------------<BR>
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Old Radioz	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Wed 16, 2005 9:01 pm
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1413 Location: Québec!	Old Radioz wrote: <font>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tubbytwo:<BR><B>I just tried Murphy's Oil Soap, only because I found it under the sink, and it worked really great. I used it on a wet rag out of the bottle.<P></B><HR> <P>That is what I also been using, but I thin down a bit the soap as it works better. Then I use baby's wet towels. Dunno what's in there, but it cleans incredibly well. My youngest son is about to be 2, so I have plenty of those around...8o)<P>Syl<P>------------------<BR>
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49Stude63	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Thu 17, 2005 12:46 am
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1737 Location: Michigan	The mineral spirits then murphy's soap works best for me also. The mineral spirits solvent will cut part of the crude (wax) and the the soap cleans what the mineral spirits leaves behind. If the finish is a little tired go to a auto paint wholesaler and get some polishing glaze, (very very fine grit) and use a buffer to do the whole surface, then clean with the murphy's soap again and then use a high grade auto paint paste wax on it and buff it out with the buffer with a clean pad on it. If the gloss is to high, there are ways to knock off some of the gloss. <P>------------------<BR>
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Dave Doughty	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Thu 17, 2005 1:14 am
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 18922 Location: Utica, NY 13502 (USA)	Dave Doughty wrote: <font>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Old Radioz:<BR><B> <BR>Isn't it based on silicone oil like so many other "wood preserver/restorers" like Pledge ?<P>When I read their FAQ, it sure sounds like it.<P>Syl<P><BR></B><HR> <P><BR>I went to their FAQ and got the opposite impression. They implied that silicone products were not desirable and that Liquid Gold may react with wood that has previously been treated with silicon.<P>Here is a hint as to what it is made of as clipped from their website: ".....Scott's Liquid Gold's unique organic oil formula and one step process will quickly and easily remove wax build up, replace lost moisture and leave wood dust free (and dust repellant), clean and preserved."<P>I'd be interested to know what others think of this product and whether or not I should continue using it. Here is a link to their website: <A HREF="http://www.scottsliquidgold.com/default.cfm/fuseaction/home.LiquidGoldIt.cfm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.scottsliquidgold.com/default.cfm/fuseaction/home.LiquidGoldIt.cfm</A> <P>Dave<P>------------------<BR>
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Old Radioz	Post subject: Cleaning up old wooden radios Posted: Mar Thu 17, 2005 5:41 am
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1413 Location: Québec!	Old Radioz wrote: <font>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave Doughty:<BR><B> <BLOCKQUOTE><font>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Old Radioz:<BR> <BR>Isn't it based on silicone oil like so many other "wood preserver/restorers" like Pledge ?<P>When I read their FAQ, it sure sounds like it.<P>Syl<P><BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>I went to their FAQ and got the opposite impression. They implied that silicone products were not desirable and that Liquid Gold may react with wood that has previously been treated with silicon.<P>Here is a hint as to what it is made of as clipped from their website: ".....Scott's Liquid Gold's unique organic oil formula and one step process will quickly and easily remove wax build up, replace lost moisture and leave wood dust free (and dust repellant), clean and preserved."<P>I'd be interested to know what others think of this product and whether or not I should continue using it. Here is a link to their website: <A HREF="http://www.scottsliquidgold.com/default.cfm/fuseaction/home.LiquidGoldIt.cfm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.scottsliquidgold.com/default.cfm/fuseaction/home.LiquidGoldIt.cfm</A> <P>Dave<P><HR> <P><BR>Thanks. <P>I read about NOT using this stuff on parquet floors and to keep it away from food prep area etc...Those are usually warnings of Silicone products...But obviously this stuff isn't silicone, my mistake.<P>There is a note also: "Should white circles develop you may need to refinish the wood. This occurs because silicone was previously used."<P>What chemical can react with silicone and create white rings ? Any chemist out there ?<P>The "lost moisture" thing is totally wrong. There is no such thing as "replacing lost moisture in fading or drying wood", it's been discussed a while ago. <P>But that doesn't prevent this product to be a good cleaner as your experience shows. And probably more friendly to your health than harsh chemicals. 8o)<P>Syl<P>------------------<BR>
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